Tests and diagnosis

If they're not sure what the cause is, they may refer you to a specialist for further tests, such as:

another pelvic examination

a colposcopy, where a microscope is used to look inside your vagina and a small piece of tissue may be removed for testing (biopsy)

scans

The specialist can tell you if you have cancer or something else. If it is cancer, they'll talk to you about what happens next.

Treatments

You'll see a team of specialists who will recommend the best treatment for you. This will depend on things like how far the cancer has spread.

The main treatments for vaginal cancer are:

radiotherapy – radiation from an external machine or a temporary implant in your vagina is used to kill cancer cells

surgery – this may involve just removing a small part of your vagina or it could mean your vagina needs to be completely removed and recreated, and nearby tissue like your womb may need to be removed (hysterectomy)

chemotherapy – medicine is used to relieve symptoms and kill cancer cells if they've spread to other parts of your body

Ask your care team about what the different treatments involve and why they think a particular treatment is best for you.

Outlook

Vaginal cancer can sometimes be cured if it's caught early on. If a cure isn't possible, treatment might help relieve the symptoms for several years.

Speak to your care team if you would like to know what the outlook is for you, as it varies from person to person.